Total Immunity

Immunity

NOUN

1. the state of being immune from or insusceptible to a particular disease or the like

2. the condition that permits either natural or acquired resistance to disease

3. the ability of a cell to react immunologically in the presence of an antigen

4. exemption from any natural or usual liability

5. exemption from obligation, service, duty, or liability to taxation, jurisdiction, etc

The ambassador claimed diplomatic immunity when they arrested him for reckless driving

6. Law…exemption from criminal prosecution or legal liability or punishment on certain conditions

7. special privilege

8. Ecclesiast…the exemption of ecclesiastical persons and things from secular or civil liabilities, duties, and burdens.

 Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019 by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd

Even though I have been most familiar with the word being used in relation to infectious diseases, in the past months the word has been used more commonly within the political realm.  This has been spurred because of the events of January 6, 2021 and Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago documents case.  The question is:  Is the president of the United States totally immune to any all decisions he/she makes while in office?  The National Constitution Center defines the case before the Supreme Court in this fashion”

The immunity case in Donald J. Trump v. United States will center on one simple sentence: “whether and if so to what extent does a former President enjoy presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts during his tenure in office.”

Of course, the former president says the answer is “Yes”  for total immunity. How could a president do their job, making the tough decisions every president must make, if there is an underlying fear that they will be taken to a court to justify their decisions? 

Total Immunity.

This is not the only realm where immunity is the underlying justification for actions.  I would propose that the actions of Hamas (10/7/2023) and the response of Netanyahu and the IDF in Gaza lies in their belief that their actions are immune to consequences.  Hamas rejects the belief that Israel has a right to exist.  Therein the eradication of Israel is a justified and legal action.  On the other side, the IDF sees the actions of Hamas and other Iranian backed groups as a threat to their existence and therein justifies any action that would eradicate the threat (including collateral damage to the innocent) and protect the nation. 

Total Immunity…self-justification…No accountability.

Of course, the rationale of Vladamir Putin in his attempt to consume Ukraine and reinstitute that land mass into an expanding Russia…Soviet Union…is justified as well.  As a result, why should anyone within the military of Russia fear punishment from the World Court?  Why should Russia not fight back against international sanctions and threaten any nation or group of nations who by their actions stand in opposition to a righteous Russian action?  Why should not Russia accept the religious direction of Patriarch Kirill who reinstituted ethno-Phyletism despite its condemnation by the Council of Constantinople in 1872?

Total Immunity…self-justification…No accountability.

Now, across America, anti-Israel protesters who feel justified in their anger at Israel because of Israel’s actions against its Palestinian neighbors have stepped across the boundaries of civil protest, have threatened violence and have broken laws.  I even hear rumblings that those who in the midst of protesting (their legal right) have broken the law are going to demand no consequences because of their constitutional “right to free speech.” 

Total Immunity…self-justification…No accountability.

Christians do not believe in immunity from bad/wrong behaviors and the decisions that stand behind them.  Christians believe that “All have sinned and fall short of the “Glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).  Christians believe that “the wages of sin is death…(the consequences of not immunity from ungodly behaviors)” (Romans 6:23).  All people stand guilty before the tribunal of heaven and all of our arguing and demanding and self-justification will not remove the fact that we are wrong and God is right. 

Even though we will never win the case for immunity, the Good News of the Gospel if found in that simple truth found in 1 John 1:9:

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness.

Immunity?  No.  Forgiveness? Absolutely.  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.